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Career Advice for a young Structural Engineer with mixed experience

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85201236

Structural
Jan 9, 2012
1

I would really appreciate some unbiased career advice for a structural engineer (5 yr out of school with PE and masters degree). I work for a very well known civil/infrastructure engineering firm and have been designing buildings along with a few other engineers in my office. Our workload is essentially gone and so is most of the department (down to 3 people!). For the past 2 years of my 5 years of professional experience, my workload has consisted of nearly 75% out-of-department work (mostly construction but also transportation, traffic, aviation, storm water, and surveying). The idea was that the structural workload would turnaround soon, it never did and I don’t think it will near-term.

Obviously, I am concerned about my current path if I stay with my current employer and would love to move to a larger structural engineering shop or A/E firm working on a multitude of building projects (this is where I would love to settle down, I think). It feels to me that there is limited work in the buildings market right now but that growth is in energy and industrial type projects. I get this feeling just from the position postings that I’ve been hunting down for the last 6 months here. I live in the mid-west in a metro area with say 3M people. I have applied to every position I have found and am qualified for (this has been 4 in the past 6 months). I am considering a move to heavy-industrial-type structural engineering. I think I might really enjoy this work but also want to leave myself the choice to reenter the buildings market.

***So now with that background, here is my basic questions: Is say 2 years in heavy industrial structural engineering more beneficially to my growth and resume than another 2 years (25/75 split) of small buildings work and random civil engineering experience (very simple civil projects with some project management and client interaction). And secondly, how segmented is the structural engineering market, how easy is it to jump back and forth between industrial and buildings work?

I’d appreciate any advice or thoughts. I take all advice with a grain of salt, but your thoughts will help shape how I approach the rest of my career! Thank you so much for your posts in advance!
 
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I would say the heavy industrial structural engineering is more applicable to other work and growth than doing a small building here and there and manholes and gutters the rest of the time. It's easier for a interviewer to get their arms around.
As far as segmentation, there are specialty companies and there are general practitioners. I've worked in two specialities, power and water treatment. But in each one, you do get the chance to get outside the mold, doing administration buildings, highway structures, etc. So if you go to a speciality company, it's not like you're doomed to do that forever.
But if you like what you're doing, don't be afraid to stay. The main thing employers are looking for are curious, good workers. If you exhibit that, they'll give a chance. If you let it play out and get let go, you'll find something.
 
Get into infrastructure design or gas/oil/electricity. That is where I am. If they stop making gasoline or electricity - I am screwed. And we have so many roads/bridges etc. that need repair - it is truly amazing!!

But I don't think I have much to worry about....
 
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